catching up with Luke and Kristy
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| Luke and Kristy Fears, 2010 |
Subscribe in a readerYes there is life after ESBS...in fact thats kinda' the whole point of the school isn't it. Take a minute and read about what Luke and Kristy Fears (2010) have been up to...it's neato!
After graduating from the 2010 class, Luke and Kristy spent a year teaching English at a language academy in South Korea. While there, Kristy volunteered as the worship leader and Luke taught regularly on Sundays for the English speaking church community in Mokpo, South Korea. Their boss also requested them to lead a Bible study at their workplace. While in Korea, ministering opportunities seemed to just fall in their laps, and they all proved to be great situations to teach and put into practice what they learned at the Emmaus School of Biblical Studies.
Following their time in Korea, they moved to South Africa to attend a Church planting school put on by All Nations. The All Nations ministry's mission statement is: "We want to see Jesus worshipped by all peoples on earth, starting with those we are in relationship with here and now." During their time in South Africa, Kristy and Luke spent 3 months in Cape Town ministering on the University of Cape Town campus and attending lectures put on by church planters. They then moved to Mangochi, Malawi, for 2 months to assist a long term church planting team of local Malawians start Bible studies in the community. While they were in Africa, Jesus' parting words really came alive to them.
They have just recently returned to the States with renewed vision and passion for making disciples. They now plan to...obey God, which is another way of saying they don't know what they are going to do. : )
They are waiting to hear where God is directing them next.
Caleb Ives joins ESBS staff
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| The Ives family |
Subscribe in a readerWe're pleased to announce that Caleb Ives will be joining the ESBS staff beginning this fall. Caleb was an ESBS student in 2011-12 and will be on staff part-time with the ESBS while he finishes his MDiv. and Regent Seminary (virginia beach). Caleb, Latoya and their three girls (Lilly, Grace, Maya) will be living in the "White House" across the street from the campus.
Before coming to the ESBS Caleb and Latoya were on full-time staff at a church in Michigan. Caleb is a great worship leader, a solid communicator and a real people-person. He's a super addition to our staff.
I can say with no reservations that the ESBS staff team we've got this fall would be the envy of any HR department. These folks are all-stars. We're poised to have an incredible year.
Summer time...
Subscribe in a readerSummer is here, and once again we've packed the ESBS stuff into storage for the next 8 weeks and summer camp has spun to life on campus.
It's been neat to see Dave Butts (assistant camp director/former ESBS student) and his wife Cheryl Anne (summer program director/current ESBS staff) lead a seamless transition on campus into the summer program. Todd (ESBS staff) has also found his groove on summer staff and is gearing up to speak this week for our first summer session. I'm on my way to the beach tomorrow and will be preparing to speak for two sessions at camp this summer (teen camp and middle camp).
Looking forward to the fall we have 7 students accepted with two more currently in the application process. Continue to pray that God puts just the right group together for August, as this is still very much prime time for students to apply. We're excited to get some well deserved rest and then begin another amazing journey through the Bible.
IMPORTANT PRAYER POINT: We have one student who is beginning the application process to receive an entry visa from Benin Africa. Because the ESBS is not accredited, students can't come in on a typical student visa. International students apply to come on a B-1 participant visa, which is typically a 6 month visa. Pray with us that his visa process goes smoothly and that he is awarded the participant (b-1) visa for the full 10 months!
Thank you for a great year!
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| class of 2012 |
Subscribe in a readerWe began our last book today (Matthew), and the students will turn in their final assignment next Thursday. Graduation is next Saturday!
Being the season for nostalgia, I'll say that I can't believe we've now seen 6 ESBS schools through to the end. Im so blown away by what God has done this year, and in the previous 5 years. Im thankful for the vibrant life the school has taken on, and the rich ministry that has taken place in the lives of everyone involved.
Im also thankful for your support. Thank you for being interested in the school, for praying for it, and for supporting the students and staff. I know that this program was part of what Jesus had in mind when he told his disciples to "go and make disciples of the nations." I'm proud to be a part of a program that has grown to be solid and excellent beyond anything that any of us can fully take credit for. God has given us an awesome gift in the ESBS, and Im thankful for your partnership in stewarding it.
Let's prayerfully look forward to many more years!
Tom
AUDIO FILES ONLINE
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Just a reminder to visit our website and check out some of this year's audio files now online. We've got HUNDREDS of hours of totally free live classroom lectures on our website...ready for you to enjoy.
http://www.esbsonline.org/audio-2011-12/
Step 1: pick a book you want to learn more about
Step 2: download the lectures for that book
Step 3: listen to them on the commute to and from work (NPR is over-rated anyway)
enjoy!